Metro disrupted by power surge

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The Tyne and Wear Metro service is open this morning following a power surge which closed large parts of the system in Newcastle on Monday. Operator Nexus says checks will now be carried out when trains stop each night.

Metro services are suspended between South Gosforth and Shiremoor all day, Tuesday 16 August, due to a power fault. A replacement bus service, number 900, is calling at or close to the affected stations.

There is a frequent service on all other routes with a train about every 12 minutes, although these will not be to the normal timetable between Shiremoor and St James. Passengers travelling to Newcastle from stations at Monkseaton and Whitley Bay are advised to go via Wallsend to Monument.

The fault has been caused by a power surge at a Metro electrical sub-station in Gosforth which caused more widespread disruption on Monday. Engineers will complete repairs tonight, as this will require switching off power to a wider part of the Metro network.

“I am sorry for the inconvenience and disruption caused to Metro passengers yesterday and today.

“Our engineers began repairs at Gosforth overnight and will complete these tonight, because we will need to turn off power in a wide area to do this safely. Unfortunately this means there will be no trains between South Gosforth and Shiremoor but a frequent replacement bus service is operating.

“The fault was caused by a power surge on Monday which brought a number of lines to a stop yesterday. Metro staff working for our train operator DB Regio worked with emergency services to help people off trains in a well-practised procedure where these were halted between stations.

“It was a hot day and I appreciate some passengers had a long wait to be escorted from trains. I’m sorry if this was the case but it is imperative people do not leave trains until it is absolutely safe to do so. I’d like to thank passengers for the patience and calm they showed throughout.”